Munster back in Pro14 action as Ospreys come to Cork

MUNSTER will look to get back to winning ways on Friday when they welcome the Ospreys to Musgrave Park in the Pro14.

The province suffered their first defeat of the 2019/20 season last time out against the Cheetahs, but will be expecting a big response against a side they will also face in this season’s Champions Cup.

Ahead of the game, Munster head coach Johann van Graan spoke about reintegrating the 12 Munster players that played in the World Cup back into the squad.

“It will be a challenge. Twenty teams go to a World Cup, but only one teams wins it so for 19 teams it’s disappointing.

“We have had 12 players away at the World Cup and first and foremost it’s about their health and to make sure that they are mentally and physically ready to go for what’s going to be a very tough block for all teams across Europe. Thirteen weeks in a row up until the back end of January with some pretty big games coming up.”

Van Graan hasn’t had access to the Irish players this season due to their World Cup commitments.

Those players will be available again from Monday, November 4th , as will new forwards coach Graham Rowntree after his tenure with Georgia ended after their own exit from the tournament in Japan.

Van Graan says that the World Cup 12 will be welcomed back into a good environment.

“Everybody is looking forward to getting back. We have a very happy environment. That’s why most of those players are staying here for the foreseeable future. New coaches coming in is also a challenge.

Graham will be coming in Monday week.

“I wish we had a bit more time, but it’s just the way it is. As soon as they are in it’s just the next job.

That’s the beauty of professional sport. You have just got to put your disappointment behind you. A week is a pretty long time in rugby.”

The Munster head coach also gave an update on Chris Cloete’s fitness. The back row forward suffered an ankle injury during Munster’s in over the Southern Kings, but it appears that it is not as bad as initially feared.

Van Graan confirmed that he was expected to be out of action for six to eight weeks, but that the rehab work done by Cloete in the last 14 days could see him return for the away trip to Cardiff Blues on November 2nd.

Munster’s game with the Osprey’s on Friday night has a 7:35pm kick off in Musgrave Park and is live on eir Sport.